Joshua Harrison and Jeremy Jeffers, a gay couple in Clarendon, a town of about 2,000 people in the Texas panhandle, say they woke up to find a message reading "Leave or Die Fags" painted on their front porch. The couple says they noticed a change in town attitude toward them after an inflammatory ad about the "homosexual movement" written by a pastor appeared in the local paper, ProNews 7 reports:

The couple said that after a newspaper advertisement ran in late September, residents started treating them differently.

"It's funny that two weeks after this article comes out in the newspaper that people in town are starting to be rude to us and then we get out front porch vandalized," Harrison said.

The newspaper advertisement was published in the Clarendon Enterprise. Written by Clarendon Church of Christ Pastor Chris Moore, the ad depicted the alleged platform of the 'Homosexual Movement.' In the ad, Moore used the National Coalition of Gay Organizations as his source. A Pronews 7 investigation found virtually no information on the coalition other than it was a convention from 1972 -- 40 years ago.

The ad listed seven bullet points that warn residents about the homosexual movement, including a line that said "Folks, don't be fooled, the 'gay' agenda isn't about 'equal' rights for gay couples. Their agenda would force everyone to compromise their values, make our children legal prey for pedophiles."

The couple says they are now fearing for their lives and are considering moving away.

Gay equality is winning among Latinos, AND among white ethnic Catholics in Washington State and Maryland (of which there are many), AND among African-Americans in Prince George County, Maryland. Do you think gay equality would even come close to winning among the white evangelical population of the Texas Panhandle? Oh, come on, Towleroad trolls. I'm talking about your trailer trash STUPID RELATIVES. Surely you have something to say. [Sound of crickets… again… and again… and again.]

Posted by: Artie_in_Lauderale | Oct 3, 2012 11:44:14 AM

This is the same kind of thing that happened in Nazi Germany when the Catholic mad man Hitler said he would destroy anybody who tried to stop him. The German Nazi Catholics helped Hitler murder over 6 million Jews, Homosexuals and other religious minorities as a result of Hitler's madness. This is now going on here in America and is the beginning of the end of a free America. Right now the anti-gay Christians know they still can be arrested and put in prison if they do kill LGBT people so they are using psychological propaganda by scaring and harassing and bulling LGBT people to make the afraid. So for now it these anti-gay Christians are following mad men leaders of hate groups, again like Hitler started out in Germany when he worked to stir up the German people to go against minorities he wanted to destroy. History has proven that Christians will follow mad men like Hitler and murder people but first these Christians and Catholics have to be stirred up to turn against minorities like smaller religions and gay people. Also since the CIA is also involved in this we are seeing the beginning of the end of America and a war will take place between the free Americans and those who want to enslave them again using the Christian religion as the reason for their madness. This is how the Christians started their Holy War on the Muslims thousands of years ago and they still murder millions of Muslims today in a war they call "War on Terror" which is really just their Holy War to finish the job they started long ago. If the good and free do nothing to stop these mad men then the US will doomed to a living hell.

Posted by: Bob | Oct 3, 2012 11:48:20 AM

Pastor Moore might have been motivated by seeing that a couple of decent, bright and fully functional gay men were in town. What an affront to his notions of perverted sodomites! They might set an example for townspeople to admire and understand that being gay needn't equate with child molesting, public orgies or any of the bugaboos that infest the brains of homophobes.

I'd like to say "Stay there and live as you've lived". But unless there's community support, Moore will spew more venom and create minor inconveniences and possibly major dangers for this couple. They are more courageous than I would be.

Posted by: gregory brown | Oct 3, 2012 11:54:58 AM

It's Texas, how does anyone find this surprising? They'd stone gay people to death if they thought they could get away with it. Just go somewhere you're wanted, you'll be much happier.

Now I'm all for standing up for yourselves, as long as the odds are reasonable. Two people versus the majority of a state? That's pointless. Just move. Your lives are more important than that of these bigots, it's not worth the risk.

@Winston-A single sign and you've indicted an entire state? Texas is made up of a lot more than rednecks, including tens of thousands of immigrants from Vietnam, Nigeria, Iran and, of course, Mexico. As well as millions of non-Christians. And not counting millions of domestic immigrants. Your sweeping judgements are little different than those of the "pastor" from the "Church of Christ."

Buy a gun, under texas law if they try to harm you can retaliate with lethal force. So ya, problem solved.

Posted by: Kelly | Oct 3, 2012 12:31:42 PM

Y'know, it's "Pastors" like that and politicians like the GOP's collection of Bigotty Nitwits that are to blame for the culture of anti-gay prejudice that leads to violence, threats, and suicides.

truth - dharun ravi isn't the reason tyler clementi is dead. the anti-gay church clementi was raised in and the American policiticans who continue to promote and encourage anti-gay prejudice to cheers from their plebeian followers are the reason clementi is dead.

Promoting outright lies that are H A R M F U L in your local paper, targeting an already-oppressed minority group, all so you can feel morall superior (or likely distract from your own daily sinning?)....shameful.

THEY NEED TO GET OUT OF THERE. MAY GOD HELP THEM. I WISH THEM THE BEST. THIS KIND OF THING WILL HAPPEN MORE AND MORE OFTEN AS THE GAY BACKLASH CONTINUES TO PICK UP SPEED. GOD BLESS YOU ALL. NAMASTE.

Posted by: THE QUEEN | Oct 3, 2012 1:12:27 PM

ccofchrist@amaonline.com
is the email of this church should anyone wish to contact Pastor Moore. I too grew up in this church and everything termpapermonster says is true. The church is also on Facebook.

Posted by: Rational | Oct 3, 2012 1:29:27 PM

Move to the front of the bus boldly or find a better bus. Either way, thanks for bringing to light this bigotry.

Posted by: Dan England | Oct 3, 2012 2:27:39 PM

More Christian whackjobs terrorizing gay people and calling us pedophiles. Assholes. Stupid, mean and sadly, we've come to expect this from some religious idiots.

Posted by: Jonathan | Oct 3, 2012 2:46:00 PM

...and we can guarantee the corrupt, local cops will find a way to say this is NOT a hate crime. That means the Federal government will not be involved in the investigation and therefore the whole thing will be covered up - just like it always is in Texas.

Posted by: Icebloo | Oct 3, 2012 3:12:56 PM

Sounds to me like the local authorities are taking it seriously, so I don't know where the accusations of local police corruption come from.

You can stay, or you can run.

Me, I'd run a counter ad. I'd face this head on. It's not 1980 anymore. Get a concealed carry permit, set up hidden cams, push back.

If I left, I'd certainly leave a parting gift in the form of my own ad.

Call them out. Call them what they are - cowards. You have to confront this head-on, when they lie about you, you need to call them liars. Accepting that there's nothing you can do about it is ridiculous.

Posted by: "The Gay" | Oct 3, 2012 3:53:14 PM

"the gay'

It isn't always so simple and often Local Police are bias in establishing accountability. My partner and I have been harassed and stalked by two neighbors who have joined forces. Yes ,they are cowards. We invited one to sit down with a mediator and he refused to do so. The other tried to steal some land from us. They have used stalking gun fire to harass us which is very disturbing. We have a bullet hole in our security light shade which we believe was put there as a threat and a warning. The Local Police have made a joke of it and didn't even interviewed them in the police report. So it isn't always so clean in establishing accountability. Hate needs allies to exist. It is very astounding how little community support we have gotten. We live in the shadows of Lafayette College, Moravian College and Lehigh University in Pa. yet no matter who we have turned to has turned their backs for some reason. We aren't going to move because that isn't in the cards. We suspect that our stand has up the ante because our stand has humiliated our adversaries. We have a good security system but it doesn't record event on neighboring properties-gun fire. We have dozens of video of what we believe is stalking behavior. If I were these brothers, I would stand and not move. It is a matter of time because often assholes who do this vandalism brag about it and someone will sing. We can't even get the local media to even return mail or calls. So it appears that the media is at least willing to report the crime.

Often our Fear is their greatest Strength.

Posted by: Jerry | Oct 3, 2012 4:22:19 PM

I'd sue the local paper for printing the advertisement which is clearly crafted to evoke just this kind of violent passion. There's no 1st Amendment right to incite violence.

Posted by: Inis | Oct 3, 2012 4:24:49 PM

They should join that church, attend every Sun. and teach Sun school.

Posted by: RevJames | Oct 3, 2012 4:49:12 PM

"One other thing: For the life of me I do not understand what sort of moral compass a human being has that makes an act like this okay"

It's the same supposed moral compass that allowed certain people to hate other races. The same moral compass that allows Christian parents to kick their sons and daughters out of their homes.

Posted by: Chuck B. | Oct 3, 2012 5:09:30 PM

Get out of rural or semi-rural Texas if you are gay OR straight, friends. Unless you have an occupation that makes it almost impossible to live anywhere else, GO -- I mean like, if you are a Mardi Gras float builder, your job opportunities are pretty much limited to New Orleans -- know what I mean? But if your skills are AT ALL transferable, move somewhere civilized. If you are stuck staying in Crackertown to take care of sick or elderly parents, take them WITH you. Let that miserable little town shrivel up and die on the map. If you must stay in Texas -- if you hold a state license do do something, like insurance or medical care -- find another city like Austin or San Antonio that is much more gay tolerant to live in. Good luck. Otherwise, arm yourself to the teeth and stand your ground, but do NOT cower in fear.

Posted by: Dez | Oct 3, 2012 5:11:46 PM

The largest city in Texas, Houston, has an openly gay mayor and vibrant gay scene. Don't paint all of Texas with a broad brush. These guys live in a tiny town in the panhandle area.

I wish them the best!

Posted by: Brian in Texas | Oct 3, 2012 7:20:22 PM

Gay people have the right to live in Texas -- ANYWHERE in Texas. And anywhere else.

Posted by: tony a | Oct 3, 2012 7:24:48 PM

We seem to be at a point where Christianity has been completely hijacked and warped into something non recognizable .. in the deep redneck states it has replaced the outdated KKK . They hide behind the name Jesus .. and because it is largely protected from ANY RIDICULE it's given a free pass to spew hate. In America , Jesus mocked by his very own followers .... its a Farce, as it always has been .

Boys. move the hell out of that hell hole and come to Boston were we enjoy a 100% equality and we have so very , very few red necks . It Get's Better !

"Hate the Fags" Praise Jesus. It is so pathetic, and I agree that obscuring Hatred under the guise of Religion never makes it right. "It is my Right To Hate You, My Religion Tells Me So" How does this get a free pass?

Posted by: StraightGrandmother | Oct 4, 2012 9:30:57 AM

You do not move! YOu attend the church that is bashing on you with your partner and a whole bunch of friends I mean a lot because there will be critisism and hurtful actions well if they are christian they wont say anything on church grounds. And once you step inside with everyone you act as nice and polite as possible! Its hard but we should stand for what we belive and show it in a non challaunt mannaer/